American Goulash Recipe (2024)

Julie Clark

Posted: Updated:

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes with this easy American goulash. This beefy macaroni is loaded with diced tomatoes and tomato sauce….then topped with cheese.

Back when we were first married we made a lot of hamburger helper meals. Whether it was a cheesy macaroni and beef or even a tuna macaroni salad, elbow macs were cheap, so we ate a lot of it!

American Goulash Recipe (2)

What is goulash?

There are two different types of goulash. Hungarian goulash and American goulash. Hungarian goulash is a thick soup with meat and vegetables, usually seasoned with paprika. American goulash is very different. It generally has tomato sauce, macaroni and beef. It’s almost like a homemade hamburger helper.

American goulash is an easy dinner that can be prepped and ready to eat in just around 30 minutes.

This dinner is also called a slumgullion recipe and can be made in the Instant Pot.

What cut of meat is best for goulash?

We use a lean ground beef for this recipe. You could also use ground turkey if you’d like. If you want to spice it up a little, use Italian sausage. Delicious!

American Goulash Recipe (3)

What spices to put in goulash?

You’ll find that every goulash recipe is seasoned just a little differently. Ours has Italian seasoning, soy sauce, a pinch of sugar, salt & pepper and butter. It’s a very simply flavored dish. What other spices can you add to goulash? You can add garlic, bay leaves or even a little dried red pepper flakes for spice.

How do you make goulash with ground beef?

Here are some hints for making this recipe:

  • This is a great way to use up leftover cooked elbow macaroni. If you don’t have any leftovers to use up, cook the noodles the same time you are cooking the beef. Cook the noodles to al dente so they don’t get mushy.
  • Start cooking the ground beef ( we recommend 85% lean) and then when it is halfway done, add the chopped onion to cook along with it.
  • Drain off any fat, then add the tomato sauce and undrained tomatoes.
  • Add the seasonings and then allow the sauce to simmer for about 20 minutes.
  • Once the sauce has simmered, add the cooked elbow macaroni and heat through.
  • We recommend serving this easy dinner with a sprinkling of cheddar cheese. You could use parmesan cheese too!

Can you freeze goulash?

Yes! Make the recipe is it describes in the recipe, then place it in a 9×13 baking pan. Cover it with plastic wrap, then wrap it in foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.

This casserole will reheat best if it is defrosted, so thaw it before you put it in the oven. Bake uncovered at 350º Fahrenheit for about 30-40 minutes until it is heated through. You may want to add a little extra spaghetti sauce and cheese if you are choosing the freezer method.

What goes with American goulash?

We recommend serving this goulash with a side salad and a piece of Italian bread. If you’re looking for a different type of vegetable side dish besides salad, try one of these:

  • Jalapeno Corn Casserole
  • Italian Green Beans
  • Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
  • Sweet Potato Fries
  • Christmas Green Beans
American Goulash Recipe (6)

Other Pasta Dinners

  • One Pot Sausage Pasta
  • Lasagna Noodle Casserole
  • Chicken Tetrazzini
  • Chicken Alfredo Pasta

American Goulash Recipe (7)

American Goulash Recipe (8)

American Goulash Recipe

4.48 from 17 votes

Have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes with this easy American goulash. This beefy macaroni is loaded with diced tomatoes and tomato sauce….then topped with cheese.

Servings 8

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Print RecipeSave Recipe

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/3 cup diced onion
  • 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • 28 ounces canned tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • Pinch sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

  • *If you don’t already have cooked macaroni, boil the macaroni and cook to al dente while the beef is cooking.*

  • In a skillet over medium heat, brown and crumble the ground beef.

  • Add onion to the skillet when ground beef is about half done, cooking the onion along with the beef.

  • Add the diced tomatoes. Mix well.

  • Add the tomato sauce.Mix well.

  • Add the butter, soy sauce, sugar and Italian seasoning.

  • Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.

  • Add the cooked macaroni and mix well.

  • Top with cheddar if desired and serve immediately.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 929mg | Potassium: 822mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 730IU | Vitamin C: 16.7mg | Calcium: 173mg | Iron: 4.1mg

Author Julie Clark

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Calories 469

Keyword beefy macaroni, easy dinner idea, hamburger helper, how to make goulash

Have you tried this recipe?

Share a review below or share on Instagram with the tag #tastesoflizzyt.

American Goulash Recipe (9)
American Goulash Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between goulash and American goulash? ›

There are two kinds of goulash: Hungarian goulash, which calls for the slow-simmered beef to be served alongside egg noodles, and American goulash, which pulls in ground beef and cooks the noodles in the pot alongside the sauce.

What is goulash sauce made of? ›

Sauce – This goulash recipe starts with jarred pasta sauce or marinara sauce and canned tomatoes. Water or broth are added to cook the pasta. Seasoning – Onion, garlic, Italian Seasoning, and bay leaf flavor the sauce.

What is goulash called in America? ›

American goulash, sometimes called slumgullion, American Chop Suey, or even Beef-a-Roni, is an American comfort-food dish popular in the Midwest and South.

What is traditional goulash made of? ›

It is made with simple ingredients like meat, peppers and root vegetables elevated to perfection by the use of Hungary's most famous spice: paprika. Goulash can be made with beef or pork but the traditional way of making it is with beef.

What is technically goulash? ›

Goulash (Hungarian: gulyás) is a soup or stew of meat and vegetables seasoned with paprika and other spices.

What's the difference between stroganoff and goulash? ›

What is the difference between Stroganoff and Goulash? The primary difference between Stroganoff and Goulash comes down to the point that Stroganoff is a gravy whereas Goulash is a stew.

Are beefaroni and goulash the same thing? ›

Beefaroni (aka American Goulash) is a simple recipe most of us grow up enjoying, whether it was straight from a can or made from scratch. It's total comfort food. This is a simple recipe, made with ground beef in a homemade tomato sauce with just a few seasonings, plus elbow macaroni noodles.

Are chili mac and goulash the same? ›

What's the Difference Between Chili Mac and Goulash? Chili mac is very similar to American goulash — a one-pot meal made with ground beef, pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese. American goulash, however, doesn't call for evaporated milk, and also isn't made with beans.

Why is goulash called Johnny Marzetti? ›

One of the dishes Marzetti offered her customers was a baked casserole of ground beef, cheese, tomato sauce, and noodles that she named for her brother-in-law, Johnny. Teresa Marzetti was the first person to serve the casserole Johnny Marzetti in a restaurant.

What do you serve with goulash? ›

Serve up a hearty goulash for the ultimate comforting stew on winter nights. Searching for the perfect accompaniment? Try mashed potato, dumplings or your favourite veg.

How to thicken goulash? ›

Whisk a teaspoon of flour in a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the stew as it's cooking. Don't add dry flour directly to the stew as it may clump. After adding the slurry, bring the stew to boil. This will cook out the flour taste and allow the starch to swell.

Is goulash just stew? ›

Hungarian goulash is very similar to beef stew, but there are some differences. While a typical stew consists of slow braising chunks of meat with root vegetables in a seasoned broth, goulash uses spices such as caraway, cumin, paprika, and peppers which really enhance and alter the flavor from a classic beef stew.

What are the two types of goulash? ›

Hungarian Goulash is a thick meat and vegetable stew with a broth that's heavily seasoned with paprika, while American Goulash is a quick dish made from ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles. It also goes by the name of American Chop Suey.

Why do Americans call it goulash? ›

American goulash is usually referred to in the midwestern and southern United States as simply "goulash". As a descendant, of sorts, of Hungarian goulash, the only real connection seems to be the name, and the inclusion of beef and paprika.

What part of the cow is goulash? ›

In my opinion, beef shank is the best cut for a Hungarian goulash. Look for one without the bone. Cut the meat into cubes, about half an inch big (1.5 cm).

What is the difference between Johnny Marzetti and goulash? ›

This easy Johnny Marzetti recipe is similar to American goulash but with lots and lots of cheese. It is a comfort dinner recipe that is easy to prepare and so delicious.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tuan Roob DDS

Last Updated:

Views: 6434

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tuan Roob DDS

Birthday: 1999-11-20

Address: Suite 592 642 Pfannerstill Island, South Keila, LA 74970-3076

Phone: +9617721773649

Job: Marketing Producer

Hobby: Skydiving, Flag Football, Knitting, Running, Lego building, Hunting, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Tuan Roob DDS, I am a friendly, good, energetic, faithful, fantastic, gentle, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.